India is on track to become the largest nation of software developers by 2027, thanks to the rise of artificial intelligence, according to Thomas Dohmke, CEO of GitHub, a platform owned by Microsoft. Dohmke highlighted how AI is breaking down language barriers and fostering a more inclusive coding environment, allowing non-English-speaking developers to contribute significantly to the software world.
AI: The great equalizer in coding
During his participation in the ET Global Leaders Forum, Dohmke emphasized that AI is democratizing access to coding. Tools like GitHub Copilot are enabling developers to code in their native languages, such as Hindi or Kannada, without needing to be fluent in English. This represents a radical shift, especially in countries where English is not the primary language, like Japan or India, where developers have faced significant language barriers.
"AI is a great equalizer," Dohmke commented. "It will facilitate navigation in an existing codebase without needing to speak English fluently, as Copilot can be leveraged in the language that feels most comfortable to you." This capability will allow developers worldwide, regardless of their language, to contribute to open-source projects and global technological advancement.
New epicenter of software development
GitHub has seen significant growth in its developer community in India, with 2.2 million new developers recently joining, bringing the total to 15.4 million. This increase is remarkable, considering the figure was 5.8 million in 2021. It is projected that India's developer community will surpass that of the United States, which currently stands at 21 million, by 2027.
Dohmke noted that this "era of great convergence" between AI and the growth of developers in India will create enormous economic opportunities for the country. A GitHub report showed that developers using GitHub Copilot complete tasks 55% faster than those who do not, highlighting AI's positive impact on productivity.
